Following in the footmarks of the Old Nottinghamians' Cricket Club the ONs' Phoenix XI will play a T20 match against our friends Fraser Brown Solicitors at Adbolton on Thursday 31st May from 6pm. Caps off to Jonathan Hammond (1975-85), the driving force behind this initiative; to John Coates (1958-64), Chair of the Ground Management Committee, for his assistance; and to Dave Vickerstaff, our groundskeeper, for all his excellent work. Warm applause too for Tony Palfreman (1954-65) who provided the inspiration for this venture when he spoke at the Buffet Lunch celebrating the 50th anniversary of the ONs' inaugural cricket match at Adbolton.
Jonathan Hammond writes:
'It’s happening! Great news for all those Old Nottinghamians who still have their cricket whites tucked away at the back of their wardrobe. The ONs' Phoenix XI will be rising from the ashes at Adbolton – the home of Old Nottinghamians' sport. Our opposition, Fraser Brown Solicitors, will provide us with a tough first game. The team for this match has already been selected from a growing squad. Cricket whites (greys?) are being hunted down & washed or repaired, waistbands let out, mothballs removed, balls polished, tubes of deep heat purchased... the excitement is certainly building. You are invited and very welcome to come down to NG12 2LU, next to the National Watersports Centre at Holme Pierrepont. The bar will be open from 5.30pm and the match will start at 6pm prompt. If you can’t make the coin toss, the game is expected to last until 9pm, so why not pop down when you can? Bring down the family to enjoy a glorious Summer's evening beside the River Trent... & to support the ONs' team, of course! To register your interest in playing in a future game, or for any further details about the first match of the season, please contact me via secretary@old-nottinghamians-society.org.
Vitai Lampada
There's a breathless hush in the Close to-night—
Ten to make and the match to win—
A bumping pitch and a blinding light,
An hour to play and the last man in.
And it's not for the sake of a ribboned coat,
Or the selfish hope of a season's fame,
But his captain's hand on his shoulder smote
'Play up! play up! and play the game! '
The sand of the desert is sodden red,—
Red with the wreck of a square that broke; —
The Gatling's jammed and the Colonel dead,
And the regiment blind with dust and smoke.
The river of death has brimmed his banks,
And England's far, and Honour a name,
But the voice of a schoolboy rallies the ranks:
'Play up! play up! and play the game! '
This is the word that year by year,
While in her place the school is set,
Every one of her sons must hear,
And none that hears it dare forget.
This they all with a joyful mind
Bear through life like a torch in flame,
And falling fling to the host behind—
'Play up! play up! and play the game!
Sir Henry Newbolt